Each February, Black History Month is celebrated to recognize the important role Black people have played in U.S. history. 

"Black history is American history, and everyone should celebrate our history 365 days a year," explains Dr. Folakemi Odedina, a Mayo Clinic prostate cancer scientist and global health equity researcher.

This year's theme for Black History Month is "Black Health and Wellness." This theme acknowledges the legacy of Black scholars and medical practitioners. 

"It is really about time that we focus on Black health and wellness because our community is disproportionately experiencing health disparities," says Dr. Odedina. "We have to recognize that there are multiple dimensions of wellness."

According to Dr. Odedina, dimensions of health and wellness include physical, mental, emotional, intellectual, spiritual and environmental, and social health. 

On the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Odedina discusses the factors responsible for health disparities in the Black community and shares how her work supports health and wellness for Black people.